Hyperlocal Media Architecture: Displaying Societal Narratives in Contested Spaces

Media architecture gains societal relevance as a mass communication medium that is able to strengthen a sense of place. However, little is known about the interplay between the content that media architecture displays and the public perception towards the architecture that supports it. With a global refugee crisis currently unfolding, we took up the challenge to explore how media architecture can raise awareness about urgent societal issues among the nearby population. In this paper, we describe the participatory design and in-the-wild evaluation of a media architecture installation that depicts refugee displacement onto the façade of a refugee shelter. Our analysis provides insight into the qualities of hyperlocal media architecture, in terms of (a) inviting community participation, (b) displaying compelling and socially relevant narratives, and (c) stimulating dialogue between communities.